I slip onto the floor, search through the stack of kids’ films, and then hold one up as though I’m lifting a football trophy. “If you liked the last one, you will adore this one. There’s a sad part, but I promise it will all be smiles and laughter by the end.”
I put the DVD on and settle on the sofa once more. As far as I can tell, Jett is enjoying this film too. By the time the credits roll, it’s dark outside.
“That was fun,” Jett says. “Thank you.”
I assume he’s talking about the animated films and not what came before them.
“You’re welcome.” I stand.
“Where are you going?”
I flash him a grin. “Skinny-dipping.”
“You’re serious?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“Is it safe?”
“I’ve been swimming in that lake since I was a kid.”
“At night?”
I shake my head and then cross to the window. “There’s a full moon tonight, so we’ll have enough light to see. Hey, you go swimming every week, right?”
“Yes.”
“You could come and be my lifeguard.”
“You are serious.”
I roll my eyes. “How long have you known me?”
“Good point, but…” He hesitates. “What about the gravel?”
“We can do a hop, skip, and jump over that.” I laugh as he winces. “Or dash over it. The drive isn’t that wide. Then we’ll be on the track through the forest, which won’t be too bad.” I purse my lips. “There should be a torch in the outhouse, assuming Rufus didn’t take that too. I’ll get some spare towels and go and find it.”
I leave the room without giving Jett time to object. I get two more towels from upstairs and go out the back door. The long blades of the grass between the back porch and the outhouse tickle my feet. Once inside, I’m walking over dusty concrete. I flick the light switch and find the torch with ease.
“Ah-ha!”
“What?” Jett asks from behind me.
My heart leaps. I wheel around and grab hold of his arm. “Don’t scare me like that.”
“Sorry. I didn’t think I was being quiet.”
“You’re obviously stealthier than you thought. You could be a ninja.”
He stares at me.
“No?”
“No.”
I shrug and point at the flip-flops I’d spied. “They’re from when Rufus and I were kids, so they’ll be a bit small, and I wouldn’t want to walk to the main road in them, but they’ll protect our feet enough to get to the lake.” I hand Jett the torch and retrieve the flip-flops. I give him a pair and put the other pair on. “Ready?”
His mouth twists into a concerned wobble.
